# Japanese Maple Leaf Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Beginners\ **Created:** [September 8, 2022, 2:47am UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/japanese-maple-leaf-question/9940 "2022-09-08T02:47:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zsprague](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e480ec/32.png) [@zsprague](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/zsprague)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2022, 2:47am UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/japanese-maple-leaf-question/9940/1 "2022-09-08T02:47:36Z")
I purchased a Japanese Maple about two years ago and repotted this past spring into a wooden box to try and get a larger trunk. Everything seemed fine after repotting and the leaves came out nice and green. I’ve noticed over the course of the summer that they have lightened up significantly and wasn’t sure if that is normal for this tree. ![IMG_0861.HEIC](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/bonsaimirai/original/3X/0/4/0482fdb588004eef0d65a132f46d5ba5053b98d2.jpeg) I unfortunately do not know the variety of Japanese Maple this is. I was told in the winter when I bought it that it was a red leaf JM and something tells me that isn’t true 😅. Is this something I should be concerned about? ---
**Author:** ![MtBakerBonsai](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.bonsaimirai.com/mtbakerbonsai/32/23909_2.png) [@MtBakerBonsai](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/MtBakerBonsai)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2022, 3:06pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/japanese-maple-leaf-question/9940/2 "2022-09-08T15:06:12Z")
Fall is approaching, so the tree is entering its next phase, leaf drop. On another note, if you would like a thicker truck you will need to put it in the ground and let it grow. No pruning, except for structurally flawed and dead branching. Fertilize heavily 👍🏻 ---
**Author:** ![MartyWeiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@MartyWeiser](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/MartyWeiser)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2022, 4:47pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/japanese-maple-leaf-question/9940/3 "2022-09-08T16:47:40Z")
It may be a bit chlorotic - i.e. short on magnesium and/or iron so you might supplement with those a little. ---
**Author:** ![OrangeDream](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.bonsaimirai.com/orangedream/32/32291_2.png) [@OrangeDream](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/OrangeDream)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 12:44am UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/japanese-maple-leaf-question/9940/4 "2022-09-09T00:44:14Z")
it looks like a variegated cultivar, a friend of mine has an arakawa that does this, it could also be a seedling. I usually don’t buy a tree if it doesn’t have any identification. Go to your local library and pick up JD Vertrees Japanese Maples, I think I saw your tree in there. ---
**Author:** ![Roby64](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.bonsaimirai.com/roby64/32/25097_2.png) [@Roby64](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/Roby64)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 9:18am UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/japanese-maple-leaf-question/9940/5 "2022-09-09T09:18:14Z")
Also my japanese maple has faded leaves and is probably a magnesium and iron deficiency. ---
**Author:** ![KurtP](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.bonsaimirai.com/kurtp/32/16188_2.png) [@KurtP](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/KurtP)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 4:17pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/japanese-maple-leaf-question/9940/6 "2022-09-09T16:17:44Z")
Your ID tag doesnt say, and you dont mention where you are… Whats your local water pH? High? Call your water supplier and ask… That would add to the magnesium / iron comments problem above… ---
**Author:** ![zsprague](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e480ec/32.png) [@zsprague](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/zsprague)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2022, 6:30pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/japanese-maple-leaf-question/9940/8 "2022-09-09T18:30:45Z")
Hey Kurt, I am located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I believe the water is right around 8 if I remember correctly. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3be4f8/32.png) [@MichaelM](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/MichaelM)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2022, 11:38pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/japanese-maple-leaf-question/9940/9 "2022-09-12T23:38:00Z")
I would agree with Marty W. this looks like typical chlorosis. Not enough iron or other ions available to support chlorophyl production. Typical pH of water should be closer to 6.5, which makes these ions more available. You might try acidifying some of your watering with 1tsp to 1Tbsp vinegar per gallon of water. If you use soluble fertilizer acidify your fertilizing solution with the same ratio. You may have to grow new leaves to see the change. At this time of year there may not be new growth. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3be4f8/32.png) [@MichaelM](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/MichaelM)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2022, 11:47pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/japanese-maple-leaf-question/9940/10 "2022-09-12T23:47:29Z")
Another thought, I you have had this for two years, what were the color of leaves in the past summers and falls? Maybe your soil mix is different than what it was growing in before? MM ---
**Author:** ![Roby64](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.bonsaimirai.com/roby64/32/25097_2.png) [@Roby64](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/Roby64)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2022, 7:20pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/japanese-maple-leaf-question/9940/11 "2022-09-19T19:20:30Z")
The water is too alkaline,the maple wants a lower ph of both the soil and the water.